Spraying apparatus for distributing machines



A ril 7, 1942. o. N. GREDELL 2,278,819 SPRAYING APPARATUS FOR DISTRIBUTING MACHINES Filed Nov. 20, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR my Off Neda/l April 7, 1942. o, GREDELL 2,278,819

srRAYINeAP AnAT'us FOR DISTRIEUTING MAcHiNEs 07% /1. aw /z A TTORNE y IN VENTO)? April 7, 1942. o. N. GREDELL SP RAYING APPARATUS FOR DISTRIBUTING MACHINES Filed Nov. 20, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTbR 07 0 N Grade/K A TTORNEY Patented Apr. 7, 1942 9' SPRAYING APPARATUS FOR DISTRIBUTING MACHINES Otto N. Gredell, Kansas City, Mo., assignor to Standard Steel Works, Kansas City, Mo., a corporation of Missouri Application November 20, 1939, Serial No. 305,324

8 Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus for dis tribution of bituminous materials used on road construction and maintenance work, and particularly to a spray mechanism for such apparatus.

In work of this character, the bituminous or other material must be distributed uniformly and at the proper viscosity to present a smooth, even surface, free of overlaps, skips, and heavy spots. It is also essential that the material be distributed within close limits of the desired gallonage, otherwise the work does not meet the requirement of highway departments. 7

It is, therefore, a principal object of the present invention to provide a spray bar equipped has started, and heavy, uneven spots when the flow is suspended.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a spray bar wherein the material is circulated immediately upon suspension of the spraying operation, so as to avoid congealing of the material and clogging thereof in the bar and spray nozzles.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a spray bar equipped with pneumatically operated spray control valves; to provide a spray bar made up of units by which a bar of a given length may be assembled to give full width distribution in a continuous forward direction; to provide a spray bar having hinged end sections which are adapted to be quickly raised and lowered for reducing the over-all length when in transportation or when it is necessary to pass an obstruction; to provide separate air control lines to the respective sections selectively operated by individual valves or by a master valve; to provide means for blowing out and clearing the spray bar of the bituminous material; to provide means for circulating a washing fluid through the spray bar to dissolve particles of bituminous material adhering to the valves and In accomplishing these and other objects of a the invention, as hereinafter described, I have provided improved details of structure, the preferred form of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a spray bar and associated pressure feed, return, and air control pipe lines.

Fig. 2 is an elevational view of the spray bar and associated pipe lines as viewed from the rear end of the distributor on which the spray bar is installed.

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view showing the individual and master valves which control the air lines leading to the respective spray bar sections and to the circulating control valve, the individual valves being set to admit air pressure to the nozzle valves and the master valve in position to admit air pressure to the individual valves and to exhaust air pressure from the circulating control valve.

Fig. 4 is a similar view showing the master valve interrupting air pressure to the individual valves and delivering the air pressure to the circulating control valve. One of the individual valves, however, is shown in position for rendering one of the spray bar *sections ineffective when the master valve is again turned on to admit air pressure to the individual valves.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail section through one of the spray bar hinge joints.

Fig. 6 is a cross-section through one of the spray bar units taken at a point intermediate the spray nozzles.

Fig. 7 is a similar section taken through one of the spray nozzles.

Fig. 8 is a cross-section through the center of the spray bar, particularly illustrating the circulating control valve.

'Fig. 9 is a perspective View of one of the ball valve carrying heads.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

I designates the tank of a distributing machine for containing a bituminous material which is distributed through a spray'bar 2 on a roadway during its construction or its subsequent maintenance. The sprayed material usu ally consists of bitumen such as asphalt, tar, or the like, and is applied in liquid form so that it is necessary to heat the material and maintain it at the proper viscosity during operation of the spray bar. The tank is therefore provided with heaters 3 and 4, with a hydrocarbon fuel, such as furnace oil, contained in a tank 5 carried on the distributor chassis, indicated by the dotted lines 6. The fuel is delivered from the tank 5 under air pressure through a pipe 1, which is connected with the respective heaters through branch pip-es 8 and'9, the flow therethrough being controlled by valves l0 and H. Air pressure is supplied to the tank 5 from an air tank I2 through a connecting pipe l3, the pipe |3 being fitted with a check valve M, a shut-off valve I5, and a'pressure gauge as shown in Fig. 1. Air is compressed in the tank l2 by means or an air compressor l1, having its discharge 'connection l8 connected with the tank through a pipe line Is, the air compressor ll being operated by a suitable prime mover (not shown) located on the chassis 6 of the vehicle.

The spray bar 2 is suspendingly supported from the rear of the chassis 6 in accordance with approved practice and includes a central section 23 having end sections 2| and 22 respectively connected to the ends thereof by hinged joints 23 and 24. Bituminous material is delivered to the ends of the central section 23 through flexible conduits 25 and 26 having connection with a manifold 21, the manifold pipe 21 being connected by a pipe 28 with the pressure discharge connection 29 of a pump 30. The inlet connection 3| of the pump is connected by a pipe 32 with the bottom of the tank asindicated at 33. Connected in the pipe 28 is a three-way valve 34, having connection with a pipe 35 leading directly to the upper portion of the tank I as indicated at 36. When the valve 34 is adjusted to close the pipe 28, the bituminous material is circulated through the tank to maintain it in uniformly heated condition as when the material is being transported to the site of operation.

The center section of the spray bar is also connected with the tank I by a flexible return or circulating duct 31 whereby the bituminous material may be kept in circulation through the spray bar as later described. The spray bar sections 2|], 2| and 22 are each made up of units 38 which consist of tubular bodies 39 having end flanges 4D and 4|. The flanges project a greater distance on the rearward side of the bar to accommodate tubes 42 and 43. The tubes 42 and 43 are preferably separate from the tubular bodies and have their ends swedged within openings 44 and 45 in the respective flanges. Projecting from the upper wall of the tubular bodies at equally spaced intervals along the length thereof are bellows chambers 46, flanged at the top, as at 47, and closed by heads 48. Located in the lower wall of the tubular bodies, in alignment with the chambers 45, are openings 49 in which are mounted valve seats 50. The valve seats include cylindrical skirt portions pressed within the openings 49 and having head flanges 52 engaging the inner face of the lower wall as clearly shown in Fig. 7. The head flanges 52 have outlet ports 53 normally closed by ball valves 54 seating thereon. and guidingly retained between upstanding lugs 55. The interiors of the skirt portions 5| are internally threaded, as at 56, to receive the threaded shanks 51 of spray nozzles 58, the spray nozzles 58 being provided with orifices 59 wherethrough the bituminous material is sprayed onto a road as later described.

Depending from the heads 48, and arranged within the axes of the bellows chambers, are

sleeve-like guides 66 having bores 6| provided with bushings 62. Slidable in the bushings 62 are guide stems 63 carrying heads 64 on their lower ends, the heads being provided with claws 55 for loosely engaging the ball valves 54 and to move the valves to and from their respective seats. Sleeved over the guides 60 are expandable bellows 66, having collars 61 at the lower ends sealingly engaged with the heads 64, and provided with collars 68 at their upper ends sleeved over shoulders 69 at the upper portion of the guides, and which are secured thereto to form liquid-tight joints whereby the bituminous material is prevented from entering the interior of the bellows.

Formed in the heads 43, and extending rearwardly from the upper end of the bores 6|, are channels 10, closed at their outer ends by plus H. Also formed in the head and intersecting the channels are port 12 having connection with nipples 13 connected with the air tubes 42, the upper ends of the nipples being secured within openings 14 of the flanges 41 and the lower ends in openings 15 provided in the tubes, whereby a compressed medium, such as air, is admitted from the tubes into the interior of the bellows to effect expansion thereof and seating of the valves as later described. The heads 43 are retained on the flanges 4'! by fastening devices 16, suitable gaskets 11 preferably being inserted between the heads and flanges as clearly shown in Fig. '7.

A suflicient number of units to provide the de sired length of the respective bar sections is placed in end to end relation and secured together by fastening devices such as bolts 18. When the units are secured together, the tubes 42 and 43, and the tubular bodies, form continuous ducts coextensive with the length of the bar sections. The center bar section 20 is connected with the end bar sections 2| and 22 by hinged joints 23 and 24 as best shown in Fig. 5.

The hinged joints each includes a yoke-shaped unit 19, having a tubular body portion 83 registering with the ends of the duct formed by the tubular bodies 39 and having a flange 8| similar to the end flanges 40 and 4| of the respective units, which flange is secured to the flange of the adjacent units by fastening devices 82 similar to the fastening devices 1'3. Extending laterally and then parallel with the tubular portion in an off-set hollow arm 83 terminating in a bearing sleeve 84.

Also carried by the flange 8|, in registry with the tubes 48, is a tubular portion 85 terminating in an offset hollow arm 86 having a bearing sleeve 81 registering with the bearing sleeve 84.

Journalled within the bearing sleeves 84 and B! is a tubular hinge pin 88 having closed ends 89 and 9D to form a passageway 9| and having lateral ports 92 and 93 communicating respectively with the passageways in the hollow arms 83 and 86. Extending from the hinge pin, between the bearing sleeves, is a tubular body 94 registering with the tubular body on the inner end of the adjacent unit of the respective end sections of the bar. The body portion also includes an offset channel 95 connecting the port 93 with the endmost tube 43 of the end section. The body portion 34 is provided with a flange 96 which is secured to the mating flange of the endmost section in the same manner as the flanges of the respective units. With this arrangement it is obvious that the passageways formed by the tubular bodies of the respective units are connected through the hinged joint so that the passageway extends continuously throughout the length of the entire bar to connect with all of the respective nozzles. Likewise it is obvious that the tubes 42 are continuous through the hinge joints by reason of the passageways 91 and ports 93.

The ports 92 and 93 are preferably arranged so that they register with the passageways in the arms 83 and 86 when the endmost sections are located in the plane of the central section,

and when an endmost section is hingedly moved to a vertical position the ports 92 and 93 remain in registry to continue flow of bitumen through the hinged section of the bar. The outermost units of the end sections are closed by caps 91 having flanges 98 which are bolted to the flanges of the endmost units. The air ducts formed by the tubes 43 are not continuous through the hinged joints, as the air duct in each of the bar sections is supplied through a separate flexible conduit 99, I 00, and IOI. The terminal ends of the ducts 99 and IOI are connected with nipples I02 and I03 projecting from the tubular bodies of the hinge pin members, and which have channels connected with the passageways formed by the tubes 42. The duct I is similarly connected with a nipple I04 carried by the tubular body of one of the yoke sections and having a channel connected with the air duct of the central bar section. The unit located at the midway point of the central bar section is of slightly longer length than the other units and carries a forwardly extending branch I05, in which is threaded a nipple I06 carrying an L- fitting I01.

The fitting I01 terminates at the upper end thereof in a valve housing I08 provided with a lateral outlet branch I09 which is connected by a nipple H0 with the flexible conduit 31 previously mentioned. Formed in the fitting is a partition III having a port II 2 closed by a ball valve H3. The ball valve H3 is normally urged into engagement with its seat by an expanding bellows H4, similar to the bellows previously described and having a connection with a head I I5 similar to the heads 48. The head H5 has a depending guide sleeve H5 mounting a stem III carrying a head H8 to seat against the ball valve H3. The head H5 has air channels H9 which connect with a flexible duct I20 whereby air may be admitted into the interior of the bellows to urge the ball against its seat, to close the port H2 and thereby interrupt flow of bitumen back into the tank.

The flexible ducts 99, I00, and III! are connected with three-way valves I2I, I22 and I23, having their inlets connected to a common pipe I2 by means of branches I25. The pipe I24 is connected with the pipe I9 and if the valves are open to establish communication with the respective flexible ducts, air under pressure is admitted through the ducts to the air passageways in the respective sections of the bar, which air expands the bellows to eflect closure of the spray nozzle valves, thereby suspending discharge of bitumen. The valves I2I, I22 and I 22 also have inlets connected with a common pipe I26 through branches I21, I28 and I29 respectively. The pipe I26 is connected with a fourway valve I30, having an inlet branch I3I connected with the pipe I24 so that if the operating lever I22 of the valve is open to establish communication between the pipe I24 and the pipe I26, air is sup lied to the respective valves I2I, I22 and I23. If these valves are set so that they connect the branches of the pipe I25 with the respective flexible ducts, air is admitted. through the ducts by way of the four-way valve. It is thus obvious that flow to the respective sections of the bar is selectively controlled through single manipulation of the valves I2I, I22 and I23, or if the valves are open, the flow may be effected simultaneously to all of the bar sections by swinging the lever I32 into position where the master valve admits air to the pipe I26.

The valves are shown diagrammatically in Figs. 3 and 4, the individual valves being provided with L-shaped ports I34 and I35. When the port I35 connects the pipe I3I with the pipe I26, then air is admitted to each of the individual valves that are open to receive it, and the port I34 establishes communication between the flexible duct I20 and atmosphere through a lateral port I36 of the valve. When the four-way valve is turned so that the port I35 connects the pipe I 3I with the flexible duct I20, then air is admitted to the bellows II4 to seat the valve H3. In this position the port I34 connects the pipe I26 with atmosphere so that air in the nozzle bellows is discharged to atmosphere permitting the bellows to contract under pressure of the bitumen and effect opening of the respective spray nozzles. In order that the spray bar and supply lines may be blown out by the compressed air, the pipe I9 is connected with the manifold 21 by a pipe I31, having a check valve I38 opening in the direction of the manifold,.a cut-off valve I39, and a pressure gauge I40.

In order to circulate a washing liquid through the spray bar and its connecting ducts, the inlet of the pump has a connection I4I through which a relatively light hydrocarbon is admitted under control of a valve I42. Since the fuel in the tank 5 is sufliciently light to cut the bituminous material, the fuel offers a convenient source of supply of wash liquid, consequently the pipe 9 is connected with the pipe I4I as indicated at I43 in Fig. 1.

In using the apparatus, the bitumen is kept in heated condition through operation of the heaters 3 and 4 and in constant circulation by operaticn of the pump 30. At this time the valve 34 is set to circulate the liquid from the bottom of the tank, through the pipe 32, inlet connection 3I of the pump, from the pump through the pipe 28, through the valve and pipe 35 back to the tank. When the spray bar is to be used setting of the valve 34 is changed so that the discharge of the pump is passed through the pipe 20 to the manifold 21, and to the respective ends of the central spray bar section 20 by way of the flexible conduits 25 and 26.

With the master valve set so that the port I35 connects the pipe I26 with the pipe I3I, air is being delivered through the valves I2I, I22 and I23 to the respective spray bar sections, through the flexible conduits 92, I00 and IIII. The air under pressure is distributed through the interconnected tubes 42 of the respective spray bar units, nipples I3, channels 10, and bores of the bushings 62, into the respective bellows to effect expansion thereof against the pressure of the bitumen delivered to' the spray bar sections. Since the air pressure is kept above the pressure of the bitumen circulated by the pump, the valves are closed as long as air pressure is delivered to the bellows. With this setting of the master valve, the bellows H4 of the circulating control valve is in communication with atmosphere so that the pressure of the bitumen unseats the ball valve I I3. Consequently the bitumen is circulated under pump pressure in divided streams from the inlets of the flexible conduits 25 and 26, one stream moving from the ends of the central bar section 20 toward the control valve, the other stream moving outwardly through the hinged end sections of the bar, through a passageway provided through the caps 91 for return by way of the interconnected tubes 42, which also discharge into the central unit,

for return to the tank through the valve housing IE8 and flexible duct 3?. Therefore, as long as the master valve 538] is set as above described, and the valves I25, 22 and 823 set to deliver air to the spray bar sections, circulation is maintained through the spray bar, heating the parts thereof to approximately the temperature of the bitumen.

In operating the spray, the master valve is moved so that the port 134 connects the pipe I26 with atmosphere, and the port 1.35 connects the pipe iii with the flexible duct i263 leading to the bellows of the control valve. Air is then cut ofi to all the bellows controlling the spray valves to allow opening thereof, and air is admitted to the bellows controlling the recirculating valve to effect closure thereof against pressure of the pump lit. The pressure of the bitumen then eiiects sufficient collapse of the bellows ES to lift the ball valves ts from covering relation with the \ports 53, whereby the bitumen under pump pressure is discharged in spray form through the orifices 5.9 of the respective spray nozzles 53. Since pressure of the bitumen acts simultaneously on the bellows, all of the valves open so that the sprays are instantly discharged simultaneously without gurgling, giving a clean-cut starting line.

The volume discharge of the sprays is uniform with the result that the bitumen is delivered uniformly over the surface of a road at a predetermined gallonage as governed by the pressure discharge of the nozzles and the speed of travel of the machine.

In case it becomesnecessary to raise one of the bellows chambers the shut oii of the nozzles is simultaneous to efiect a clean-cut finish line.

means acted upon by pressure of the spray liquid in said passageways to open said spray nozzle valves and to close said spray nozzle valves responsive to external pressure medium, ducts connected with the valve opening and closing means of the respective sections to deliver the external pressure medium thereto, individual valves in said ducts to selectively control flow through the ducts, means supplying the external pressure medium through said ducts under control of the individual valves, and a master valve controlling the pressure medium supply independently of said individual valves for selectively venting said external pressure medium to render said spray fluid pressure effective on opening said spray nozzle valves.

3. A spray bar including center and end sections each having a flow passageway therein, a series of nozzles carried by the respective sections and having connection with said flow passageways, spray nozzle valves in the flow passageways for controlling flow of spray liquid to the nozzles, bellows having their outside subject to pressure of liquid flowing through said passageways and suspendingly supporting the spray nozzle valves in open position when the pressure of the spray liquid in said passageways is greater than pressure within the bellows, ducts connected with the inside of the bellows of the respective sections, individual valves in said ducts to selectively control flow through the ducts, means supplying a pressure medium at suificient pressure through said ducts under control of the individual valves to expand said bellows in opposition to the pressure of said spray liquid for closing the spray nozzle valves, and a master valve controlling the pressure medium supply independently of said individual valves and to vent said pressure medium i to render the spray fluid pressure effective in When the job is completed and it is desired to valve I42 so that the light hydrocarbon stored in the tank 5 is circulated through the spray bar in the same manner as the bitumen.

From the foregoing it is obvious that I have provided a spray bar and control mechanism therefor wherein the nozzles are positively operated and that recirculation is automatically established as soon as the sprays are suspended.

What I claim and desire to secur by Letters Patent is:

1. In an apparatus of the character described, a spray bar unit including a tubular body having flanged ends, a return tube carried by the flanged ends, and a spray nozzle carried by the tubular body.

2. In a spray bar including center and end sections each having a flow passageway therein, a series of spaced nozzles carried by the respective sections and having connection with said flow passageways, spray nozzle valves in the flow passageways for controlling flow to the nozzles,

opening said spray nozzle valves.

l. In an apparatus of the character described, a spray bar including center and end sections each having a flow passageway therein, a series of nozzles carried by the respective sections each having connection with said flow passageways, valves in the flow passsageways for controlling flow of spray liquid to the nozzles, bellows having their outside subject to the pressure of the spray liquid flowing through said passageways and supporting the spray nozzle valves in open position when the pressure of the spray liquid flowing through said passageways is greater than the pressure inside the bellows, ducts connected with the inside of the bellows of the respective sections, individual valves in said ducts to selectively control flow through the ducts, a circulating duct having connection with the outer ends of the end sections and a portion of the center section, a bellows in the circulating duct and having its outside subject to pressure of liquid flowing through said duct, a valve connected with the bellows for interrupting flow through the circulating duct, ducts connecting the inside of the bellows of the respective sections, a duct connected with the inside of the bellows in the circulating duct, means supplying a pressure medium of sufficient pressure through said ducts to expand said bellows in opposition to the pressure of the spray liquid to close said valves, and a master valve controlling the pressure medium supply to said ducts, said master valve having an exhaust port connecting the inside of the spray nozzle bellows with atmosphere when pressure medium is admitted to the inside of the bellows in the circulating duct to expand the bellows in opposition to pressure of the spray liquid for closing the valve in the circulating duct.

5. In an apparatus of the character described,

a supply of spray fluid, a spray bar provided with supply for return of said spray fluid to said sup-' ply, spray nozzle valves controlling said ports, a valve controlling flow through said return means, bellows having their outside subject to pressure of the spray fluid flowing through said passageway and return means and suspendingly supporting said valves in open position when the pressure of the spray fluid is greater than the pressure inside the bellows, means connected with the inside of the bellows for injecting a pressure medium into said bellows of sufficient pressure to expand the bellows for closing the valves in opposition to the external pressure of said spray fluid, and valve means connected with said pressure medium injecting means for venting the pressure medium from the inside of the bellows connected with the spray nozzle valves and to inject the pressure medium into the inside of the bellows connected with the valve in said return means to close said valve and to render the spray fluid pressure effective in contracting the spray nozzle bellows for opening said spr'ay nozzle valves.

6. In an apparatus for distributing spray liquid, a spray bar having a, flow passage therein, a

series of spray nozzles carried by the spray bar land having ports communicating with said flow passage, individual valve for each port, bellows having their outside subject to the pressure of liquid flowing through said flow passage and suspendingly supporting the spray nozzle valves in open position when the pressure of spray liquid flowing through said flow passage is greater than the pressure inside the bellows, common means connected with the inside of the bellows for supplying a pressure medium under suificient pressure to expand the bellows in opposition to the pressure of the spray liquid for closing said valves, means controlling the pressure medium supply for effecting simultaneous action on all of said valves, and pressure means for supplying the spray liquid to the passage of the spray bar for contracting the bellows to open the valves when the-pressure medium to the bellows is suspended by said controlling means.

7. In an apparatus of the character described, a spray bar having a flow passage for a spray liquid, a series of spray nozzles connected with the spray bar and having ports connecting with the flow passage, means for delivering the spray liquid under pressure to the flow passage of the spray bar, a shut-off valve for each port, springacting bellows connected with the shut-off valves and having their outside subject to the pressure of the spray liquid in said passage to open said shut-off valves when the pressure of spray liquid flowing through the flow passage supplemented by the-spring action of said bellows is greater than the pressure inside said bellows, and common means connected with the inside of said bellows for supplying a pressure medium under sufiicient pressure to the interior of each of said bellows for simultaneously efiecting expansion thereof in opposition to the pressure tending to open said valves for seating said shut-01f valves.

8. In an apparatus for distributing spray liquid, a spray bar, a series of nozzles carried by the spray bar and having valve seats, said spray bar having a flow passageway connecting said nozzles, means for supplying a spray liquid under pressure through said flow passageway, bellows supported in the flow passageway over each valve seat and having its outside subject to pressure of spray liquidflowing through the flow passageway, each bellows having a free end movable to and from said nozzles, a valve carried by the free end of each bellows for opening and closing flow of spray liquid through the valve seats of said nozzles, means connected with the inside of the bellows for injecting a pressure medium into the interior of the bellows to expand the bellows in opposition to the pressure of the spray liquid for seating said valves, and means for supplying said pressure medium.

OTTO N. GREDELL.

' CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No. 2,27 ,819. April 7, 19L 2.

' OTTO N. GREDELL.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: In the grant, line 2, and in the heading to the specification, line 5, address of the assignee, for "Kansas City" read -North Kansas City; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 19th day of May, A. D. 19L 2.

Henry Van Arsdale, (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

